A visit to Finch Rest

March 3, 2017

I got to meet a very special blogger friend this past Tuesday. Michele at The Nest at Finch Rest and I have been wanting to get together for so long! She only lives a little more than three hours from me, but we just weren't able to arrange it. So I was really excited when we were able to plan for me to stop there on my way to North Carolina to visit my son and daughter-in-law.

And not just a cup-of-tea visit with her, an overnight visit!

I got there around 1:30 in the afternoon. Michele had a lovely lunch all prepared for us.

Feast your eyes on this beautiful table.


We have been having such a mild winter here in the Midwest, and Michele took advantage of the warmer weather to set a pretty spring table. We both know that more snow is inevitable, but the pink and green spring decor just warmed my heart!

I forgot the name of this china pattern, but it is Austrian. Michele has a whole set, and it is beautiful.


She had a gift of a sweet little sachet tied up in a pretty bow sitting atop my plate.



She served this delicious tea. Cup after cup was poured as we chatted away the whole afternoon as if we'd always known each other.


This spinach mushroom soup was delicious!


And then came a yummy chicken salad on a croissant.


And, Oh. My. Look at these delectable desserts.

She really knows how to make people feel special. I can tell you, those little lemon bars and the chocolate peanut butter bars were delicious!


And there were presents . . . 


Michele made this for me. If you look closely, you can see a signature finch nestled among the leaves and flowers.

I know just where to put this! Thank you so much, Michele!


We chatted and chatted, and then I took a little half hour nap to revive. Hadn't slept the night before. Too much excitement. Then, while Michele made us a little dinner, I did some coloring.

This coloring book, filled with tea images, came from Margie at Tea in the Valley. Margie, I'll bet you never thought I'd be coloring in this book you sent Michele. Love how we three bloggers connected here.


More chatting and talking. Wish I could have stayed up all night with Michele, but I had a drive the next day.

I really wish I had taken pictures of the guest room I stayed in. A very pretty, romantic room in whites, with lovely keepsakes, including a pair of Michele's ballet slippers from childhood and a lamp filled with seashells in its base by her mother.

There was a basket of books on tea, perfect for perusing before falling asleep.

I had to get up early to get on the road. "Just coffee would be great," I had said, but here's what awaited me as I arrived downstairs.


More chatting and visiting, until I finally had to leave.

Sorry for the fuzzy quality -- this was a quick cell phone pic by Michele's husband. We almost didn't get one!
Many of you know what a lovely person Michele is through her blogging. When I was planning my daughter's wedding last year and starting to feel stressed out, Michele offered to drive up, stay in a hotel nearby, and come and clean and serve my out-of-town guests! She even offered up her husband's services. He would come and be the "butler"! I was overwhelmed by her kindness. And even though I didn't take her up on her offer, I will never forget her willingness to give sacrificially to someone she'd never met.

I also had the opportunity to meet her husband (really nice man who enjoyed the paczkis I brought for Fat Tuesday!) and sweet daughter and granddaughter. Such a great family. Oh my, that little granddaughter is even cuter in person than she is in the pictures you see on Michele's blog. I can see why she's in love!

Michele is the eighth blogger I've met in person, and I can tell you without exception, every one of them has been delightful to meet. And funnily enough, they each seemed much as I imagined.

I've met Mariette from Mariette's Back to Basics (she is from Georgia but she and her husband were in our area and we were able to meet). I've met five bloggers from Colorado out on my annual visits to see my mom and sister -- Bernideen from Bernideen's Tea Time, Cottage and Garden (and I got to see her beautiful tea shop before she retired), Roxy from Living from Glory to Glory and her daughter-in-law Amy from God's Grace Overflows, and mom and daughter Debbie (She Graces Her Home in God's Beauty) and Stephanie (The Enchanting Rose). When I was in Texas last year for a nephew's wedding I met Kitty from Kitty's Kozy Kitchen.

I'm still amazed I've been able to meet all of these bloggers.

And I'm meeting another one next week while I'm here in North Carolina. I'll let you guess who that might be, and post about it later.

Thanks again Michele! We'll definitely have to do it again, maybe next time at my home. 

30 comments

  1. So sweet you gals were able to get together, everything looks lovely!

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  2. How delightful! However did you pull yourself away?!?:)

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  3. Oh, my sweet friend, our time together just wasn't enough, was it? I hated you to go!

    it was such a pleasure to have you as my guest - I knew we'd "hit it off," but now that we've met I realize how many things we have in common, and how much we agree on as life's ideals.

    Thank you so much for such a sweet post about your stay here. You are a sweetheart!

    Hugs! ♥


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  4. This is so nice, Deborah. I've only met one blogger but that time was so special so I can imagine what this visit must have meant to both of you. Michele sounds like a wonderful hostess!

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  5. Oh Deborah, that is just beautiful! What a joy it must have been for the two of you chatting and sipping tea over sweet, sweet fellowship I am quite sure.
    Both of you dear ladies are special in my book. :-)
    I had the pleasure of receiving a tea cup from Michele in one of Stephanie's exchanges and I feel in love with her.
    She would certainly be one lady I would love to meet in person.
    Michele graced you with such love and beauty, you must have found it hard to leave. Three hours away from one another, that's nothing!! :-)

    Safe travels to you as you continue on to your destination.

    Lovely post, really enjoyed reading of your visit together.

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  6. How fun. I love meeting fellow bloggers.

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  7. This sounds like it was an incredibly lovely visit, Deborah! From the tea and tasty lunch to the gorgeous table, to the beautiful guest bedroom...Michele is someone who knows how to make people feel welcome. I've been a blogger friend with her for many years and she oozes friendship and warmth. I'd love to met her.

    I've met many blog friends as well. I've never counted but most have been met on travels my husband and I go on. I've met several more than once, and funny, those that live far, far away!!! Another story for another time.

    Love the sweet pic of you cuties!!! :)

    Jane x

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  8. What a blessing I'm sure your visit was with Michele...and WOW...what a beautiful display of hospitality! I too would love to meet her sometime and since she is close to my home in OH, it may be possible some day! You have really been blessed to have met so many blogging friends...that is so cool...and to also be able to meet up with another friend in NC this week as well! Have a great weekend and will be looking forward to hear about your next visit.

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  9. Michele is a generous jewel of a gal!

    Poppy

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  10. What a wonderful time you had! The pictures depict so much loveliness and goodness to eat and drink.

    It is always nice to meet fellow bloggers. I've met two so far.

    Have a lovely weekend and another blogger meeting.

    Love & hugs ~ FlowerLady

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  11. Michele mentioned the meeting and I couldn't wait to get over here to find out more. I am still in awe of that gal! What an amazing hostess! Hope that you will be able to meet again beyond the blogs. I am smiling to think of all the bloggers you have met because I "know" all but one. Blogdom is, quite simply, an amazing place. Thank you for sharing your visit with Michele.

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  12. Deborah, I had to pop over and meet you after Michele mentioned your time together. Sounds like she created the perfect little B&B for you. That's so sweet!! I've been lucky to meet quite a few blogging friends now and you really do connect like you've always been friends. It's a pretty special thing. ;)

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  13. I love reading about your blogger meet-ups, Deborah! Michele is a wonderful lady so her impeccable hostess skills don't surprise me! Our paths had crossed on Blogland through the linky parties, but I got to know Michele better when Stephanie paired us up for the teacup exchange in 2015. I'm honoured that my Tea Time colouring book was part of your visit. Hee! I look forward to reading about the next blogger meet-up!

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  14. Deborah, how fun! I'm so glad you two sweet ladies got together and that you gave such a lovely account of your visit.

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  15. I'm so happy that you and Michele were able to meet, Deborah. What an amazing hostess Michele is! The beautifully set table must've made you feel so special, and then the lovely lunch looks positively scrumptious. Your stopover to Michele's must've been a highlight on your way to see your son and DIL. It was just last March that I had the pleasure of meeting you. Can you believe that a year has passed by so quickly? Special blessings are sent along to you as you enjoy your time with your family in NC.

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  16. How wonderful! She really gave you the special treatment! What a sweet friend she is to all of us who know her. I'm so glad you got to meet and spend some time together. You are both beautiful ladies...wish I had been there too! Hugs, Diane

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  17. Hi Deborah, Oh what a lovely time you spent with Michele. She is such a dear and the table setting for lunch was beautiful. She did everything to make it special and I know you felt pampered while staying with her. So glad you girls got to meet up on your way to your family in NC. Beautiful photo of you two! Friendship is very special!!
    Blessings for a nice weekend. xoxo

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  18. Wow Deborah, what a lovely visit! You are so fortunate to have met so many blogging friends....though I've not met any, I feel as though I have known many for years! You certainly were treated like a queen, How nice of Michelle!!! Glad you thoroughly enjoyed yourselves! xo
    Linda

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  19. Hi Deborah, What a blessed friendship you have with Michele. I've got to go by her blog and meet her as well. When I saw that you met so many Coloradan bloggers, I wish I would have known-because I would love to meet these blogging sisters in the flesh. I might even have driven up for the time-though it would have been a 3 hr drive. Thank you for sharing. Good friends make great friends-I can tell you are a great friend!
    Hugs, Noreen

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  20. It's a strange and wonderful world, this blogging world. How special to have met up with a fellow blogging friend! You were treated like royalty, and the table and food looks like a lot of effort and love was put into it. I love that you were colouring in a book sent by Margie. Margie and I have also met, and she is the funniest, sweetest gal ;) I'll bet your heart was full as you left to continue your travels. Have a great weekend!
    Wendy

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  21. What a lovely time you had with Michelle! This is such a wonderful idea to meet up with fellow bloggers.

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  22. What a blessing and gift...to meet sweet blogger friends! The food looked delicious, could have sat at that table a while. And the tea...such a nice afternoon tea.

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  23. Oh, how I love this! I remember Michele's generous offer around the time of your daughter's wedding - so incredibly selfless. What a wonderful way to spend time on your journey. I have a guess as to who you will meet in NC, but will keep it to myself so as to be surprised. Safe travels, Deborah!
    Rita

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  24. So happy you were able to meet up with Michele, I've had an invite on our way to, or from Florida to visit her home but we have the dog with us. (one year hopefully!) I knew she would make your stay special with good food and pretties on the table etc. as from past posts one can tell what a stellar hostess Michele is. You really have met a lot of bloggers. :-)

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  25. how exciting to meet your blogger friend !
    everything is outstanding.
    i am sure it was hard to leave chatting for you.
    food looks marvelous!
    Blessings!

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  26. Blogdom really is a wonderful place -- your visit with Michele sounds absolutely delightful. Thank you so much for sharing photos so we could see too.

    So far, I've met two blogging friends -- both very beautiful ladies.

    Wishing you a beautiful week ahead, Deborah!
    Brenda
    xox

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  27. Deborah, you have been very blessed to meet up with all these blogger friends. I know how special Michele is because it shows up so beautifully in her posts. She is a lovely person with a gift of hospitality and giving. I'm so glad you were able to have such a nice visit with her. Her table is gorgeous in pink and green. Two of my favourite colours! Have a wonderful day, my friend.

    Hugs,
    Sandi

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  28. What a special time for both of you! Michele's talented hostessing, and your delightful graciousness - a lovely combination! She set one gorgeous table! Love all the special touches that Michele did for you... wow! It is wonderful to be able to meet other bloggers! I have only met one so far, but hope that maybe someday I'll be able to meet more :) Have a wonderful time with your family. I know you will cherish this precious visit with Michele in your heart forever :)

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  29. What a wonderful time and such a pretty table and then that food! You two now have me craving soup, desserts, breakfast muffins, the whole bit, lol! :)

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  30. Dear Deborah, How very special that meeting together must have been! And the reason you have met so many blogging friends is because you make it a priority! And I must say that you have such a heart for being kind and real and transparent, so when someone gets to meet up with you it is like being with a very dear and old friend! May your trip with your children be wonderful! This lovely lady sounds amazing and could open a bed and breakfast!!
    Blessings, Roxy

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